Stephen A. Smith reacts to Mike Tomlin’s critique of Browns’ Joe Flacco trade
Stephen A. Smith is making waves with his commentary on Mike Tomlin’s reaction to the Cleveland Browns’ recent trade of quarterback Joe Flacco. After the Browns’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tomlin expressed his dismay about the move, prompting a spirited discussion on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Tomlin’s Concerns Over the Trade
Following the game, Tomlin took to the podium to voice his criticism of the Browns’ decision to send Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, grappling with Joe Burrow’s toe injury and lackluster performances from backup Jake Browning, seemed an unusual destination for a quarterback once deemed good enough to be an opening-day starter.
Tomlin remarked, “Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us because it doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area, but that’s just my personal feelings.” His statement highlighted the baffling nature of the trade, particularly given its implications for divisional competition.
Smith’s Perspective on the Issue
On “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on Tomlin’s comments. “I think he’s right about what he’s saying,” Smith noted, acknowledging the peculiarity of the trade. However, he quickly pivoted to the rationale behind the Browns’ decision. “But why should the Browns be concerned about where he’s going? It’s all about the assets that you get for what you’re looking for. You got Joe Flacco; what can you get for him? Let’s say you got somebody desperate enough to give us a couple of picks for him.”
Smith argued that the Browns’ priority should be maximizing their return on Flacco rather than worrying about the ramifications of sending him to a division rival. He emphasized that the trade was a straightforward business decision: “We got an asset that we want to get rid of; what can we get in return for his services? It’s just that simple.”
The Unusual Nature of the Trade
When asked about Tomlin’s comments and whether they were justified, Smith concluded that while the interdivisional trade was indeed an anomaly, it shouldn’t be viewed as a major issue. He recognized that such trades are rare, with the Flacco deal marking the first between the Browns and Bengals since the Browns re-entered the NFL in 1999. Notably, there have been only two similar trades this century: the Eagles trading Donovan McNabb to Washington in 2010 and the Patriots sending Drew Bledsoe to the Bills in 2001.
While Tomlin’s confusion regarding the trade may be warranted, Smith believes that it ultimately reflects the business side of the NFL rather than a significant breach of etiquette. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Flacco to see if he can help elevate the Bengals’ performance in the absence of Burrow.
